For just a moment, he forgot how to breathe. The world seemed to jerk to a stop, then spin away at a breakneck speed to makeup for the hiccup in momentum.
Children.
She could be talking about hers. About the family that was part and parcel with who she was. He already loved them...if for no other reason than they were part of her.
But he knew she wasn't talking about her children. She was talking about their children.
The strangest mixture of wonder and joy filled his heart. But then came the memory of Zita and it took all his control not to wince from the pain. He pushed the thought away. Now wasn't the time... though it would undoubtedly be necessary at some point in the future. Right now, though, she was talking about their children. Their future.
He swallowed.
[color=#7CD98A]"Do you remember the night in the tavern when that kid...Cameron I think?...spilled his drink all over us and then Antonio got in a fight over some horse who had mysteriously disappeared out of the stables?" [/color]
It was a night when everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. And together, they had faced the pandemonium and laughed. It was before they had made love for the first time, before they had allowed themselves to admit they were anything more than friends.
[color=#7CD98A]"I knew then, Lara. I knew that together, we were unstoppable. That was the night I fell in love with you."[/color] He touched her cheek again. [color=#7CD98A]"We've both lived a lot since then, but that hasn't changed. I love you. If me saying it hurts, then I'll stop. But I can't promise to not love you when that's all I've ever done." [/color]
He paused for a moment, searching for the words to describe what he felt in his heart. Finally, he opted for the truth.
[color=#7CD98A]"The thing I want most in all of Thedas is to spend the rest of my life by your side. Beyond that, I can think of nothing that would make me happier, or more hopeful, or absolutely terrified in the most wonderful way, than the idea of having children with you." [/color]
It was a dream he had given up long ago, denied to prevent the crushing pain of loss he felt each time he thought about it. And yet...here it was in front of him.
Children.
She could be talking about hers. About the family that was part and parcel with who she was. He already loved them...if for no other reason than they were part of her.
But he knew she wasn't talking about her children. She was talking about their children.
The strangest mixture of wonder and joy filled his heart. But then came the memory of Zita and it took all his control not to wince from the pain. He pushed the thought away. Now wasn't the time... though it would undoubtedly be necessary at some point in the future. Right now, though, she was talking about their children. Their future.
He swallowed.
[color=#7CD98A]"Do you remember the night in the tavern when that kid...Cameron I think?...spilled his drink all over us and then Antonio got in a fight over some horse who had mysteriously disappeared out of the stables?" [/color]
It was a night when everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. And together, they had faced the pandemonium and laughed. It was before they had made love for the first time, before they had allowed themselves to admit they were anything more than friends.
[color=#7CD98A]"I knew then, Lara. I knew that together, we were unstoppable. That was the night I fell in love with you."[/color] He touched her cheek again. [color=#7CD98A]"We've both lived a lot since then, but that hasn't changed. I love you. If me saying it hurts, then I'll stop. But I can't promise to not love you when that's all I've ever done." [/color]
He paused for a moment, searching for the words to describe what he felt in his heart. Finally, he opted for the truth.
[color=#7CD98A]"The thing I want most in all of Thedas is to spend the rest of my life by your side. Beyond that, I can think of nothing that would make me happier, or more hopeful, or absolutely terrified in the most wonderful way, than the idea of having children with you." [/color]
It was a dream he had given up long ago, denied to prevent the crushing pain of loss he felt each time he thought about it. And yet...here it was in front of him.
03-22-2023, 08:08 PM
